Mounting method and system

ABSTRACT

A method and system are disclosed, may include a mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting device may include at least two arms connected together providing at least two rotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotation axis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment and connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least two rotation axes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a mounting device. It moreparticularly relates to a mounting method and system for extending anaccessory from a piece of equipment, such as a video camera or other.

2. Background Art

There is no admission that the background art disclosed in this sectionlegally constitutes prior art.

There have been a variety of mounting devices employing various arms andjoints used for attaching a light or a flash unit to a piece ofequipment such as a camera. For example, reference may be made to U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,855,602; 4,091,402; 5,075,706; 5,095,408; and 5,226,708.

When using a light on a hand held video camera, problems may occur withthe quality of the picture under certain circumstances. For example,video lights may be located at the top of the camera directly above thelens shining light directly into the face of the subject. Lighting asubject in this manner may tend to flatten the features in the face ofthe subject and causes the subject to blink. The resultant appearance ofthe subject may be less than flattering and natural.

However, if the subject is lighted from the side and/or above, then theappearance of the subject may be more natural with depth due to theshadows on the contours of the face of the subject. Some videographersattempt to overcome the problems associated with the video light mountedabove the camera by removing the light and holding it in their hand forcertain applications. It may be difficult and awkward for thevideographer to balance and control a video camera on their shoulderwith one hand while holding and extending a video light with the otherhand in certain circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them willbecome apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood byreference to the following description of certain embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mounting device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3. is a top view of the mounting device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the mounting device of FIG. 3 throughline 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of the mounting device of FIG. 2 throughline 5-5;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of section 6 of the mounting device of FIG.4;

FIG. 7 is an end sectional view of the mounting device of FIG. 2 throughline 7-7; and

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the mounting device of FIG. 1 attached toa video camera and holding a video light.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments asgenerally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of thesystem, components and method of the present invention, as representedin the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, asclaimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of theinvention.

A method and system are disclosed, and may include a mounting device fora piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting devicemay include at least two arms connected together providing at least tworotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacleand connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotationaxis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment andconnected to the other one of the two arms providing at least tworotation axes.

In accordance with another disclosed embodiment of the invention, thereis provided a mounting device, which may include a first mountingmember, a first arm connected to the first mounting member and havingone axis of rotation with the first mounting member, a second armconnected to the first arm and having two axes of rotation with thefirst arm, a second mounting member connected to the second arm andhaving two axes of rotation with the second arm, and at least one discspring at each axes of rotation to inhibit unintentional movement.

According to another aspect of a disclosed embodiment of the invention,there is provided a device for mounting accessories to a video camera.The device may include a first mounting member having a threaded malemember for attaching to the video camera, a first arm connected to thefirst mounting member and having one axis of rotation with the firstmounting member, a second arm connected to the first arm and having twoaxes of rotation with the first arm, a second mounting member connectedto the second arm and having two axes of rotation with the second arm,the second mounted member includes a threaded female portion for matingwith an accessory of the video camera, and at least one disc spring ateach axes of rotation to inhibit unintentional movement.

According to yet another aspect of a disclosed embodiment of the presentinvention, there is provided a method of extending an accessory from apiece of equipment using a mounting device having at least two arms. Themethod may include attaching a first end of the mounting device to anaccessory receptacle on the piece of equipment, attaching an accessoryto a second end of the mounting device, and extending the accessory fromthe equipment by rotating the mounting device at the accessoryreceptacle and by rotating the arms of the mounting device in relationto each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an embodiment of the present invention as amounting device is shown. The mounting device 10 may include a lower arm12 and an upper arm 14. The lower arm 12 may include a mounting stud 16adapted to be attached to a piece of equipment, such as a video cameraor other equipment (not shown), and an axis housing 18. It is to beunderstood that this device 10 may be mounted on or to a variety ofdifferent types and kinds of equipment.

The upper arm 14 may include an axis housing 20 and a mount 22, adaptedto accept an accessory of the piece of equipment, such as a video lightor other device (not shown). It should be understood that while a videolight is described, there may be a variety of different types and kindsof devices, which may be supported on the device 10. The mounting device10 is shown with two arms, but the device may be designed with modularcomponents so that additional arms may be included to extend the rangeof the device.

The mounting stud 16 may include a disc-like center portion 24 with afirst threaded portion 26 and a second threaded portion 28 extendingfrom the center of opposite sides of the center portion 24. The firstthreaded portion 26 may include a non-threaded section 30. The secondthreaded portion may be adapted to be connected to the accessory adapterof a piece of equipment.

Each axis housing 18 and 20 may include a circular base 32 and ahalf-dome shaped upper section 34 perpendicular to the circular base 32.The circular base 32 may include a recessed portion 35 with a threadedopening 36 at its center. The upper section 34 may also include arecessed portion 38 with a threaded opening 39 at its center.

The lower arm 12 may include a first end 40 for attaching the mountingstud 16 and a second end 42 for attaching the axis housing 18. The firstend 40 may include a first recessed portion 44 and a second recessedportion 46 with an opening 48 extending between them in a wall 50. Thefirst threaded portion 26 of the mounting stud 16 may extend through theopening 48 into the second recessed portion 46. A flat friction disc 52may be disposed within the first recessed portion 44 and adjacent oneside of the wall 50 and one side of the center portion 24 of themounting stud 16. It should be understood that a second friction disc(not shown) or more friction discs may be employed to provide greaterspring tension, if desired. The depth of the first recessed portion 44may be slightly less than the width of the friction disc 52. A nut 54and a disc spring 56 (FIGS. 5 and 6) may be disposed entirely within thesecond recessed portion 46 and over the first threaded portion 26 of themounting stud 16 to hold the mounting stud 16 to the lower arm 12. Thedisc spring 56 may be disposed adjacent the other side of wall 50 andthe nut 54 to apply a compression pressure between the wall 50 and thecenter portion 24 with the friction disc 52 located therebetween holdingthe lower arm 12 in position relative to the mounting stud 16 in theabsence of any repositioning force. The lower arm 12 may rotate 360degrees around the mounting stud 16 at the first end 40 of the lower arm12.

The second end 42 of lower arm 12 may include a first recessed portion58 and a second recessed portion 60 with an opening 62 extending betweenthem in a wall 63. A screw 64 having a head 66 and a threaded portion 68may extend through the opening 62 in the second end 42 and mate with thethreaded opening 36 in the circular base 32 of the axis housing 18. Aflat friction disc 70 may be disposed in the first recessed portion 58of the second end 42 and the recessed portion 35 of the axis housing 18.The depth of the first recessed portion 58 of the second end 42 and thedepth of the recessed portion 35 of axis housing 18 may both be slightlyless than one half the width of the friction disc 70. A spring disc 72may be disposed adjacent the head 66 of the screw 64 and the side ofwall 63 located within the second recessed portion 60 to apply acompression pressure between the second end 42 of the lower arm 12 andthe circular base 32 of axis housing 18 with the friction disc 70located therebetween holding the axis housing 18 in position relative tothe lower arm 12 in the absence of any repositioning force. The head 66of screw 64 and the spring disc 72 may be disposed entirely within thesecond recessed portion 60 of second end 42. The axis housing 18 mayrotate 360 degrees at the second end 42 of the lower arm 12.

The upper arm 14 may include a first end 74 for attaching to the axishousing 18 and a second end 76 for attaching the axis housing 20. Thefirst end 74 may include an upwardly extending section 77 approximatelyone half the width of the upper arm 14. The extending section 77 mayinclude a first recessed portion 78 and a second recessed portion 80with an opening 82 extending between them in a wall 84. A screw 86having a head 88 and a threaded portion 90 may extend through theopening 80 in the first end 74 and mate with the threaded opening 39 inthe upper section base 34 of the axis housing 18. A flat friction disc92 may be disposed in the first recessed portion 78 of the first end 74and the recessed portion 38 of the axis housing 18. The depth of thefirst recessed portion 78 of the first end 74 and the depth of therecessed portion 38 of axis housing 18 may both be slightly less thanone half the width of the friction disc 92. A spring disc 94 may bedisposed adjacent the head 88 of the screw 86 and the side of wall 84located within the second recessed portion 80 to apply a compressionpressure between the first end 74 of the upper arm 14 and the uppersection 34 of axis housing 18 with the friction disc 92 locatedtherebetween holding the upper arm 14 in position relative to the axishousing 18 in the absence of any repositioning force. The head 88 ofscrew 86 and the spring disc 94 may be disposed entirely within thesecond recessed portion 80 of second end 74. The upper arm 14 may rotateover 180 degrees around the axis housing 18 at the upper section 34 ofthe axis housing 18.

The second end 76 of upper arm 14 may include a first recessed portion96 and a second recessed portion 98 with an opening 100 extendingbetween them in a wall 102. A screw 104 having a head 106 and a threadedportion 108 may extend through the opening 100 in the second end 76 andmate with the threaded opening 36 in the circular base 32 of the axishousing 20. A flat friction disc 110 may be disposed in the firstrecessed portion 96 of the second end 76 and the recessed portion 35 ofthe axis housing 20. The depth of the first recessed portion 96 of thesecond end 76 and the depth of the recessed portion 35 of axis housing20 may both be slightly less than one half the width of the frictiondisc 110. A spring disc 112 may be disposed adjacent the head 106 of thescrew 104 and the side of wall 102 located within the second recessedportion 98 to apply a compression pressure between the second end 76 ofthe upper arm 14 and the circular base 32 of axis housing 20 with thefriction disc 110 located therebetween holding the axis housing 20 inposition relative to the upper arm 14 in the absence of anyrepositioning force. The head 106 of screw 104 and the spring disc 112may be disposed entirely within the second recessed portion 98 of secondend 76. The axis housing 20 may rotate 360 degrees at the second end 76of the upper arm 14.

The mount 22 may include a first end 114 for mounting with the uppersection 34 of the axis housing 20 and a second end 116 having a threadedopening 118 to mate with an accessory of the equipment connected to themounting device 10. The first end 114 of mount 22 may include a firstrecessed portion 120 and a second recessed portion 122 with an opening124 extending between them in a wall 126. A screw 128 having a head 130and a threaded portion 132 may extend through the opening 124 in thefirst end 114 and mate with the threaded opening 39 in the upper sectionbase 34 of the axis housing 20. A flat friction disc 134 may be disposedin the first recessed portion 120 of the first end 114 and the recessedportion 38 of the axis housing 20. The depth of the first recessedportion 120 of the first end 114 and the depth of the recessed portion38 of axis housing 20 may both be slightly less than one half the widthof the friction disc 134. A spring disc 136 may be disposed adjacent thehead 130 of the screw 128 and the side of wall 126 located within thesecond recessed portion 122 to apply a compression pressure between thefirst end 114 of the mount 22 and the upper section 34 of axis housing20 with the friction disc 134 located therebetween holding the mount 22in position relative to the axis housing 22 in the absence of anyrepositioning force. The head 130 of screw 128 and the spring disc 136may be disposed entirely within the second recessed portion 122 of firstend 114. The mount 22 may rotate approximately 180 degrees around theaxis housing 20 at the upper section 34 of the axis housing 20.

The lower arm 12, the upper arm 14, the axis housings 18 &20, and themount 22 may all be manufactured from a metal material, such as aluminumor other suitable material to provide strength and help avoid damageduring handling. The friction discs 52, 70, 92, 108, & 134 may all beidentical and manufactured by Key Bellevilles, Inc., having a place ofbusiness at 100 Key Lane, Leechburg, Pa. 15656-9531.

When additional arms are included on the mounting device, the number ofrotational axis at the connection points of the arms may vary dependingon the location of the arm in the mounting device and the specificapplication of the mounting device. Typically, each connection point mayinclude one or two axes of rotation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the mounting device 10 is shown mounting avideo light 140 to a video camera 142. The mounting device 10 using themounting stud 16 may be attached to an accessory mounting receptacle 144on the top of the video camera 142. The video light 140 may include amounting screw 146 for mating with the mount 22 on the mounting device10. With the mounting device 10 in its fully retracted position, themounting device 10 may be parallel with a handle 148 on video camera 142and may be used in cooperation with the handle 148 to carry the videocamera 142. A center portion of each of the arms may be manufacturedsuch that their thickness is less than the ends of each arm and suchthat the arms fit within one another reducing the thickness of thedevice when used in cooperation with the handle of the video camera. Thelength of each of the arms may be approximately ten inches to fitcompactly on the handle of the video camera during its retracted state.

In use the mounting device 10 may position the video light 140 in aplurality of different positions using the five axes of rotationprovided by the mounting device 10. The mounting device 10 may rotate360 degrees around the accessory mounting receptacle 144. At theconnection point of the two arms, the arms may rotate 360 degrees in afirst direction and at least 180 degrees in a second perpendiculardirection. The mount 22 may rotate 360 degrees in a first direction andat least 180 degrees in a second perpendicular direction in relation tothe upper arm of the mounting device 10.

The mounting device 10 may not only be used with a variety of otherportable pieces of equipment, such as a still picture camera, an audiorecorder, a video player, and others, but also with stationary orsemi-stationary devices, such as desks, rolling decks, medicalequipment, and others. The mounting device 10 may also be used with avariety of accessories other than a video light, such as a flash unit, amicrophone, a monitor, or other light weight device.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed, it is to be understood that various different embodiments arepossible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of theappended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to theexact abstract or disclosure herein presented.

1. A mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessoryreceptacle, comprising at least two arms connected together providing atleast two rotation axes; a mounting stud for mating with the accessoryreceptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least onerotation axis; and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipmentand connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least tworotation axes.
 2. The device of claim 1 further including at least onefriction disc at each rotation axis.
 3. The device of claim 1 furtherincluding at least one spring disc at each rotation axis.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the mounting stud includes a threaded portion formating with the accessory receptacle.
 5. A mounting device, comprising afirst mounting member; a first arm connected to the first mountingmember and having one axis of rotation with the first mounting member; asecond arm connected to the first arm and having two axes of rotationwith the first arm; a second mounting member connected to the second armand having two axes of rotation with the second arm; and at least onedisc spring at each axes of rotation to inhibit unintentional movement.6. The mounting device of claim 5, wherein the first arm includes anaxis device for connecting the first arm to the second arm.
 7. Themounting device of claim 5, wherein the second arm includes an axisdevice for connecting the second arm to the second mounting member. 8.The mounting device of claim 5, wherein the first mounting memberincludes a threaded portion.
 9. The mounting device of claim 5, whereinthe second mounting member includes a threaded portion.
 10. A device formounting accessories to a video camera, comprising a first mountingmember having a threaded male member for attaching to the video camera;a first arm connected to the first mounting member and having one axisof rotation with the first mounting member; a second arm connected tothe first arm and having two axes of rotation with the first arm; asecond mounting member connected to the second arm and having two axesof rotation with the second arm, the second mounted member includes athreaded female portion for mating with an accessory of the videocamera; and at least one disc spring at each axes of rotation to inhibitunintentional movement.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the firstarm includes an axis device for connecting the first arm to the secondarm.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the second arm includes an axisdevice for connecting the second arm to the second mounting member. 13.The device of claim 10, wherein the first mounting member includes athreaded portion.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the secondmounting member includes a threaded portion.
 15. A method of extendingan accessory from a piece of equipment using a mounting device having atleast two arms, comprising attaching a first end of the mounting deviceto an accessory receptacle on the piece of equipment; attaching anaccessory to a second end of the mounting device; and extending theaccessory from the equipment by rotating the mounting device at theaccessory receptacle and by rotating the arms of the mounting device inrelation to each other.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein theaccessory includes a threaded portion for mating with a mount on themounting device.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mounting deviceincludes a mounting stud having a threaded portion for mating with theaccessory receptacle.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprisingretracting the accessory by rotating the arms of the mounting device tobe directly adjacent one another.
 19. A mounting device having at leasttwo arms for extending an accessory from a piece of equipment,comprising means for attaching a first end of the mounting device to anaccessory receptacle on the piece of equipment; means for attaching anaccessory to a second end of the mounting device; and means forextending the accessory from the equipment by rotating the mountingdevice at the accessory receptacle and by rotating the arms of themounting device in relation to each other.